2013 salary: $3.5 million. (The Tigers signed Dotel to a one-year contract for $3 million in 2012 with a club option for 2013. They picked up the club option last October).

Internal candidates to replace him: The Tigers' bullpen is wide open right now. General manager Dave Dombrowski said Sunday that he'll pursue an experienced closer this offseason. As for the rest of the bullpen? To be determined. Right now, the Tigers can count on Bruce Rondon and Al Alburquerque to fill a couple right-handed spots, but who else? Right-handers Evan Reed, Jose Ortega, Luke Putkonen and Melvin Mercedes will likely get a shot to make the 25-man Opening Day roster. But their bullpen, as it stands right now, clearly lacks veteran arms.

Why re-sign him? The Tigers need to address their bullpen, and -- simply put -- Dotel could be a cheap option. At 39 years old, Dotel wants to pitch in 2014, and as long as he can avoid surgery this offseason to repair his right forearm, he probably will. But he'll likely need to sign a minor league contract with a team to get that chance -- a deal that would likely include an invitation to spring training. if Dotel settles on a minor league contract, he'll probably want to be handsomely rewarded if he were to make the team out of spring training. Would he settle for a $1.25 million salary plus incentives?

Why not re-sign him? Re-signing Dotel is a gamble, no question about it. He's turning 40 years old in a few weeks (Nov. 25) and is coming off an injury-plagued season that saw him make just six appearances before being shut down for the season. The Tigers need help in their bullpen, and bringing back Dotel next season certainly won't solve that problem -- particularly if he's seeking a guaranteed contract this offseason.

Prediction: Dotel will sign a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. He will receive a $1.25 million salary plus incentives if he makes a club's Opening Day roster. He will not re-sign Detroit.